The Essence of Sufism
By John Baldock
3.5/5 (5 ratings)
279 pages
10 hours
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Insight into Life is the real religion, which alone can help man to understand Life.' Hazrat Inayat Khan
The Sufis have been using carefully constructed stories for teaching purposes for thousands of years. Though on the surface these often appear to be little more than fairy or folk tales, the Sufis hold that they enshrine - in their characters, plots and imagery - patterns and relationships that nurture a part of the mind not reachable in more conventional ways, thus increasing our understanding, flexibility and breadth of vision. Familiarization with this body of material can eventually provide answers to questions about our origins and our destiny.
In this book John Baldock explores the rich body of literature the Sufis have produced to guide spiritual travellers. While explaining the significant teachings and emphasizing their significance for us, he sheds a timely light on the Sufis' fascinating perception of life, revealing it to be a process of the heart and not of the head, and offers intriguing pathways to further study and reflection.
Religion & Spirituality
Islam
New Age & Spirituality
Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
26 global ratings
Top review from the United States
Mary Brand
3.0 out of 5 stars InformativeReviewed in the United States on July 4, 2013
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This gives you insight into what Sufism is and its relationship to another religion.
Shows cultural differences in thinking about spiritual ways.
Top reviews from other countries
Misspuddleduck
5.0 out of 5 stars GoodReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2018
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Nice easy read
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RESTORATER
4.0 out of 5 stars Essence of SufismReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2013
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Written clearly and truthfully.
I feel a lot more informed about Sufism now.
Living in Egypt and reading this book has helped me to understand a lot of things.
A pity this book is not offered to be read in schools across the globe.
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Angela Castro (fassenfelt)
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2017
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Brilliant book! Very informative.
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Christal Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Would defo recommend it as a starting pointReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2015
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Really good comprehensive look at early Sufism through an unbiased form.
Great bibliography at the end for further reading as well.
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MrTellyBelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2015
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A good book for anyone interested in this subject.
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Sufism has become synonymous with Rumi in recent years but this book sets the record straight. John Baldock takes the reader on a journey tracing the roots of Sufism from the companions of Prophet Muhammad to the current day.
Sufis believe in streamlining esoteric and exoteric knowledge to free themselves from duality and to merge with the beloved in a state of higher consciousnesses.
A lay man may pay a heavy price for this knowledge because he may not understand the mysticism behind the teachings.
This book provides a great reference point for further study. Baldock clearly has a deep understanding of the path the dervish traverses. Symbolism and stories play a very important role in Sufi teachings and Baldock has taken great care to simplify the mysticism. Just when the reader starts to feel a little lost, the book dives into the lives of the saints, starting with book Hasan Al Basri's in the seventh century, touching upon the lesser known Sufi men and women who were loved, revered and sometimes despised during their lifetime, and ends with Shabistari in the fourteenth century. Anecdotes from their lives make for the best part of the book. The reverence of the pupil for his master, and their love of asceticism is fascinating. A great collection of excerpts from their most famous works are included.
For a slim volume, Baldock has packed a punch. Though it may make for slightly heavy reading for some, especially those unfamiliar with the teachings of Islam, it is highly recommended as a initiation into the world of Sufi mysticism.
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Sufis believe in streamlining esoteric and exoteric knowledge to free themselves from duality and to merge with the beloved in a state of higher consciousnesses.
A lay man may pay a heavy price for this knowledge because he may not understand the mysticism behind the teachings.
This book provides a great reference point for further study. Baldock clearly has a deep understanding of the path the dervish traverses. Symbolism and stories play a very important role in Sufi teachings and Baldock has taken great care to simplify the mysticism. Just when the reader starts to feel a little lost, the book dives into the lives of the saints, starting with book Hasan Al Basri's in the seventh century, touching upon the lesser known Sufi men and women who were loved, revered and sometimes despised during their lifetime, and ends with Shabistari in the fourteenth century. Anecdotes from their lives make for the best part of the book. The reverence of the pupil for his master, and their love of asceticism is fascinating. A great collection of excerpts from their most famous works are included.
For a slim volume, Baldock has packed a punch. Though it may make for slightly heavy reading for some, especially those unfamiliar with the teachings of Islam, it is highly recommended as a initiation into the world of Sufi mysticism.
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May 12, 2018Altaf Hussain rated it really liked it · review of another edition
This was my first thorough read on Sufism and I found this best short one to have insights of Sufism and Sufis. This book is full of references for further information.
As I believe that a question answered leads to another question, so my quest of answers regarding Sufism has led me to millions of other questions. To, only understand Sufism is a big deal; to become one must be work of maestro.
Hence Quest to understand Sufism continues with more thirst.
Between its really a good read for beginners on the subject of Sufism. (less)
As I believe that a question answered leads to another question, so my quest of answers regarding Sufism has led me to millions of other questions. To, only understand Sufism is a big deal; to become one must be work of maestro.
Hence Quest to understand Sufism continues with more thirst.
Between its really a good read for beginners on the subject of Sufism. (less)
Jun 18, 2017Nazmi Yaakub rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: 2017, agama, britain-united-kingdom, islam, tasawuf-sufisme
Buku kedua Baldock yang saya baca selepas The Essence of Rumi. Berbeza dengan buku yang menyorot sisi penting Maulana Rumi, buku mengenai sufi yang relatifnya lebih tipis berbanding buku-buku lain yang membicarakan sufisme atau dalam istilah yang lebih tepat adalah tasawuf.
Buku ini lebih kepada pendedahan awal kepada masyarakat Barat yang semakin akrab dengan konsep sufi tetapi memiliki definisi dan pemahaman yang berbeza sehingga mencetuskan persoalan 'apakah mungkin sufi tanpa agama' atau spiritual dunia timur yang diibaratkan sebagai 'pasar raya besar yang produk jualannya tersedia untuk dikutip dan dipilih'.
Bagaimanapun penekanan yang diberikan dalam buku ini seperti kedudukan Nabi Muhammad SAW yang sentiasa berada pada kedudukan sentral dan dianggap nakhoda dalam kafilah dan asas-asas kepada Islam sama ada prinsip mahupun rukunnya, menunjukkan pandangan pengarang bahawa sufi dan Islam tidak dapat dipisahkan.
Bahagian kedua buku ini menumpukan empat tokoh penting, iaitu Sheikh Farid ud-Din Attar, Imam Akbar Ibn Arabi, Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi dan Shabistari serta sedikit ulasan dan terjemahan bahagian daripada magnum opus masing-masing. (less)
Buku ini lebih kepada pendedahan awal kepada masyarakat Barat yang semakin akrab dengan konsep sufi tetapi memiliki definisi dan pemahaman yang berbeza sehingga mencetuskan persoalan 'apakah mungkin sufi tanpa agama' atau spiritual dunia timur yang diibaratkan sebagai 'pasar raya besar yang produk jualannya tersedia untuk dikutip dan dipilih'.
Bagaimanapun penekanan yang diberikan dalam buku ini seperti kedudukan Nabi Muhammad SAW yang sentiasa berada pada kedudukan sentral dan dianggap nakhoda dalam kafilah dan asas-asas kepada Islam sama ada prinsip mahupun rukunnya, menunjukkan pandangan pengarang bahawa sufi dan Islam tidak dapat dipisahkan.
Bahagian kedua buku ini menumpukan empat tokoh penting, iaitu Sheikh Farid ud-Din Attar, Imam Akbar Ibn Arabi, Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi dan Shabistari serta sedikit ulasan dan terjemahan bahagian daripada magnum opus masing-masing. (less)
Well I have a slightly poorer opinion of Sufism after reading that. Lots of emphasis on anti-rationality, selflessness, and anti-egoism. I know there are Sufis who are lax on one or more of these points, but not enough attention was payed to them. I guess that makes sense. Sufism is already heterodox, focusing on the heteroxodies of a heterodox movement would be a bit crazy.
A wide ranging and informative summary of Sufism and Sufi literature. However it disappointingly shied away from pursuing the difficult questions about the relationship of Sufism to Islam.
The first half of the book is a helpful overview of Sufism (and Islam) and the second half summarises important Sufi texts. It included the well known male writers like Al Ghazali and Rumi, and it also included female Sufis like the eighth century Rabah Al Adawiyyah of Basra.
Sufism is a complex set of overlapping perspectives within Islam, rather than a specific set of doctrines. This makes it difficult to describe, apart from identifying common themes.
A key theme is ‘enlightenment’ and ‘secret knowledge.’ Sufis have a direct relationship with God which gives them direct information (or experience). This leads to allegorising and spiritual interpretations of Scriptures, which expresses a ‘higher’ or ‘purer’ doctrine than the merely literalistic teachings which others follow.
An oft recurring idea is the concept of ‘fana,’ which is an absorption of the individual into God. More usually found in Asian faiths like Buddhism, this is a vision of the self as merging into God, like a drop of water merges into the ocean. Expressed in this way it can sound pantheistic. Or worse, it can sound like a claim that a person is turning into God. Interpreted in this later sense, Sufis like Al Hallaj were executed for blasphemy.
One of the questions raised by Sufism is its relationship to Islam. Public religions like Islam exist as bodies of prescribed actions and beliefs. But Sufism is an interior spiritual transformation of the individual. For example, the Sufi Junayd of Baghdad said that those doing hajj (pilgrimage) may physically do the prescribed actions of the hajj, but it doesn’t ‘count’ if they do not also spiritually divest themselves of their desires for sin (22%).
If the inner spiritual attitude ‘overrides’ the significance of the outer actions, then the question must arise whether there is any point doing the outer actions of organised religion at all. Why go to the mosque, or do the Salah prayers, when a Sufi can have a direct spiritual relationship with God in their hearts?
The author recognises that this is a key question raised by Sufism. He asks: ‘is it possible to be a Sufi without Islam?' But the book then completely avoids the issue by simply answering: ‘Allah knows best’ (Kindle 30%).
This is an inadequate answer. If Sufism is right, then it is hard to escape the conclusion that organised religions (like Islam) are ultimately unnecessary. But Muslims are committed to the fact that Islam is necessary, so this seems to imply that Sufism (or aspects of Sufism) are incorrect, or at least incompatible with Islam.
This issue of the compatibility of Sufism and Islam is a central problem of Sufism. It needs properly exploring and resolving. But this book seems to avoid that issue. This means that ultimately the book is a helpful summary of aspects of Sufism, but it is crucially incomplete in clarifying the implications of the Sufism which it describes.
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The first half of the book is a helpful overview of Sufism (and Islam) and the second half summarises important Sufi texts. It included the well known male writers like Al Ghazali and Rumi, and it also included female Sufis like the eighth century Rabah Al Adawiyyah of Basra.
Sufism is a complex set of overlapping perspectives within Islam, rather than a specific set of doctrines. This makes it difficult to describe, apart from identifying common themes.
A key theme is ‘enlightenment’ and ‘secret knowledge.’ Sufis have a direct relationship with God which gives them direct information (or experience). This leads to allegorising and spiritual interpretations of Scriptures, which expresses a ‘higher’ or ‘purer’ doctrine than the merely literalistic teachings which others follow.
An oft recurring idea is the concept of ‘fana,’ which is an absorption of the individual into God. More usually found in Asian faiths like Buddhism, this is a vision of the self as merging into God, like a drop of water merges into the ocean. Expressed in this way it can sound pantheistic. Or worse, it can sound like a claim that a person is turning into God. Interpreted in this later sense, Sufis like Al Hallaj were executed for blasphemy.
One of the questions raised by Sufism is its relationship to Islam. Public religions like Islam exist as bodies of prescribed actions and beliefs. But Sufism is an interior spiritual transformation of the individual. For example, the Sufi Junayd of Baghdad said that those doing hajj (pilgrimage) may physically do the prescribed actions of the hajj, but it doesn’t ‘count’ if they do not also spiritually divest themselves of their desires for sin (22%).
If the inner spiritual attitude ‘overrides’ the significance of the outer actions, then the question must arise whether there is any point doing the outer actions of organised religion at all. Why go to the mosque, or do the Salah prayers, when a Sufi can have a direct spiritual relationship with God in their hearts?
The author recognises that this is a key question raised by Sufism. He asks: ‘is it possible to be a Sufi without Islam?' But the book then completely avoids the issue by simply answering: ‘Allah knows best’ (Kindle 30%).
This is an inadequate answer. If Sufism is right, then it is hard to escape the conclusion that organised religions (like Islam) are ultimately unnecessary. But Muslims are committed to the fact that Islam is necessary, so this seems to imply that Sufism (or aspects of Sufism) are incorrect, or at least incompatible with Islam.
This issue of the compatibility of Sufism and Islam is a central problem of Sufism. It needs properly exploring and resolving. But this book seems to avoid that issue. This means that ultimately the book is a helpful summary of aspects of Sufism, but it is crucially incomplete in clarifying the implications of the Sufism which it describes.
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Aug 24, 2020Mavra Rafi rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Another book that took me so long to read even though it's not that long. I just didn't want it to end. I just didn't want to part ways. Books on Sufism are journeys that have to be experienced. And if you let them, you come out on the other end a different person, a better person in my opinion. (less)
Mar 31, 2022Adam rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Absolutely enthralling. A profound primer that encourages deep thought, resonant reflection, and extended study.
Aug 02, 2020Zain Moosa rated it did not like it
.......
Jan 11, 2022TrumanCoyote rated it liked it
Baldock tends to be rather repetitious (and frequently belabors the point).
Aug 28, 2016Habeeba Sadaf rated it really liked it
"Sufism is the mystical dimension of Islam.
Mysticism makes its appearance as an inward dimension in every religion, and to attempt to separate the mystical element from the religion which is its outward support is an arbitrary act of violence which cannot but be fatal to the mysticism, or spiritual path, concerned." pg: 10 (introduction).
John has tried all possible ways to provide information, as much as possible, through his book.
Introduction, Qura'n, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), definition and meaning of Sufism, stories of the saints and their teachings, all these are briefly absorbed in the book by the writer.
Quite informative and helpful for the curious readers in a simple language. (less)
Mysticism makes its appearance as an inward dimension in every religion, and to attempt to separate the mystical element from the religion which is its outward support is an arbitrary act of violence which cannot but be fatal to the mysticism, or spiritual path, concerned." pg: 10 (introduction).
John has tried all possible ways to provide information, as much as possible, through his book.
Introduction, Qura'n, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), definition and meaning of Sufism, stories of the saints and their teachings, all these are briefly absorbed in the book by the writer.
Quite informative and helpful for the curious readers in a simple language. (less)
The author does not give any citation or reference for the historical background in the case of Caliph Usman (RA). Most likely he has used Shiite resources without mentioning any specifically. Hence, the scholarship of this book is very weak.
